2012 IFS Cherokee - BAW S12

[Dr. Dyno]

Chrysler made a bone-head move scrapping the XJ, but it's not fair to blame the government for that its misfortune. I don't see any reason why the Cherokee couldn't be redesigned to meet new standards.

The reason for the XJ's demise was falling sales 'cause it was too hairy-chested and soccer moms preferred "cute utes" and "pretty boy utes" instead.
Unfortunately the KJ was neither cute nor pretty and the current Cherokee model is an absolute abomination.

 

[cruiser54]

The reason for the XJ's demise was falling sales 'cause it was too hairy-chested and soccer moms preferred "cute utes" and "pretty boy utes" instead.
Unfortunately the KJ was neither cute nor pretty and the current Cherokee model is an absolute abomination.

Well said.

 

[Root Moose]

I don't see any reason why the Cherokee couldn't be redesigned to meet new standards.

It was. Maybe you've seen it, it's called a Jeep Liberty in North America and the Jeep Cherokee everywhere else on the planet.

Just being a smart-ass.

The reality is that the XJ is just too old. People expect different things from a vehicle than what the XJ can deliver. Putting aside the suspension setup, people expect larger vehicles nowadays, much better interiors, higher equipment levels, more modern styling, etc., etc.

Anyone that wants an XJ to use as a Jeep has one. Anyone that would want one to use as a tall station wagon would buy something else that was more modern and better made.

I love my XJs and MJ but I'm realistic about what it is: just another crappy Chrysler product with very little thought about making it a vehicle that will last. Times change, pretty much everything designed and built in the 70s and 80s sucks - and that's not just vehicles.

For all the money I've spent on mine building it I could be driving a Lexus LX470 or a Gwagen with a mild liftand a set of 35s and not be wondering when the next thing is going to break, and have a much more capable vehicle at the same time (towing, cargo capacity) but that's water under the bridge now.

 

[urban yan]

The reason for the XJ's demise was falling sales 'cause it was too hairy-chested and soccer moms preferred "cute utes" and "pretty boy utes" instead.
Unfortunately the KJ was neither cute nor pretty and the current Cherokee model is an absolute abomination.

Chrysler chose fluff over function when they ditched the XJ.

The whole Jeep lineup's a mess. The Grand Cherokee's way too posh and pricey to entertain trails, the Liberty's a fluff-piece, and the Wrangler's porked up more than Jessica Simpson on southern comfort food.

 

[Root Moose]

The Wrangler would be a decent vehicle if it was made properly.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

the Wrangler's porked up more than Jessica Simpson on southern comfort food.

You've probably noticed that almost every new car model is bigger and heavier than its predecessor. Cars are 50% heavier than they were 25 years ago and that's mainly due to the addition of airbags, AC, PS, Satnav, electric memory seats, electric windows, DVD, headrest monitors, plus other gizmos, and all that stuff inflates the purchase price.
Naturally car manufacturers had to make the engines at least 50% more powerful so that newer, porkier cars could get out of their own way. It's quite an engineering feat that they've managed to make them more fuel efficient despite having those odds stacked against them.

 

[zluster]

Guys, the reason the XJ was replaced in 2002 was twofold- it was at the end of its generation lifespan....and there were new crash regs in 2002. If you look at the automotive lineup in the US there was a big changeover in 2002....new crash regs, not emissions.

 

[tbburg]

Yeah, emissions wasn't a killer. The Wrangler kept the 4.0 until '06 without any major work. The XJ was going away regardless. It had a 17 year old body at that point and was up for a full redesign. The design was obsolete, and they weren't paying for a full re-engineer and keep the same outdated aesthetics . Like it or not(we don't), the Liberty is the result.

 

[MaxxXJ]

I don't think the hatch is metal, I'm almost certain its fiberglass, the curves are just too complex to stamp out.

Did you forget the 97-01's had metal hatches?

 

[zluster]

Did you forget the 97-01's had metal hatches?

Oh ya, clearly I forgot that..........the 97+ hatch has much simpler curves, know WHY the license plate light trim is plastic and not metal? too complex of a stamping, the XJ rear hatch has nice round curves, this hatch has sharp corners......it would be a nightmare to form.